Fred Frees Favorites, An Audio Book Sampler Excerpts from:Plain Beautiful: The Life of Peggy Ann Garner written and read by Sandra GrabmanSon of Harpo Speaks! A Family Portrait written and read by Bill Marx.

Trying to decide which audiobook is best for you? Let Fred Frees pick out some samples for you! This series of hour-long programs presents the first chapters of Fred’s handpicked favorite BearManor and Waterlogg audiobooks.

Also, in the hour: Fred Frees in more Professor Whatchamacallit's Interstitial and a Blast from the Past: An excerpt from the premiere broadcast of "Flywheel, Shyster, Flywheel" with Groucho and Chico Marx, originally aired on NBC''s Blue Network on November 28, 1932 .More at: http://www.bearmanormedia.com and http://www.waterlogg.com.

Peggy Ann Garner first won the hearts of Americans everywhere with her performance as the title character in the 1943 film adaptation of Jane Eyre. Twelve-year-old Peggy Ann then gave an Oscar-winning performance in the 1945 film A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, going on to appear in many other films over the course of her career. After the studio system broke up, she guest-starred on many of television’s top series from the 1950s to 70s, including Studio One, The US Steel Hour, Bonanza, Naked City, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Untouchables, Batman, and Police Woman. In Plain Beautiful, Sandra Grabman has painted a loving, but evenhanded portrait of Peggy Ann Garner through family letters and communication with friends Carol Burnett, Gregory Peck, Johnny Sheffield, Margaret O’Brien, and others.

Bill Marx is the last living person to have worked professionally with the three Marx Brothers: his uncles, Chico and Groucho, and his father, Harpo Marx. Because Chico and Groucho had children that had written about them, Bill Marx wanted to complete the Marx Brothers’ literary trifecta by authoring a book about the personal and professional relationships that he had with his father. Son of Harpo Speaks!, in addition to offering a unique perspective of a very special man and revealing many stories never before in print, is also a book about a “too-Hollywood-to-believe” life-altering quirk of fate that ultimately brought him together with his parents.

A collection of the best interviews, radio theater, and classic old-time radio moments from the BearManor Radio Network, which streams 24/7 online at http://www.bearmanorradio.com.

This collection contains six full hour-long episodes, including:

The Voice Actor Show with Joe BevVeteran award-winning radio theater wizard Joe Bevilacqua (a.k.a. Joe Bev) interviews famous voice actors about their lives and craft.

Lorie’s Book Nook with Lorie KelloggActress, comedian, and graphic artist Lorie Kellogg leads a lively discussion with BearManor Media authors in this series, produced by Joe Bevilacqua.

The J-OTR Show with Joe BevThis series of hour-long mash-ups of old- and new-time radio is hosted, written, produced, directed, and voiced by Joe Bevilacqua.

Fred Frees Favorites: An Audiobook SamplerNot sure which audiobook you want to buy? Let Fred Frees pick out some samples for you! This series of hour-long programs presents the first chapters of Fred’s handpicked favorite BearManor and Waterlogg audiobooks.

Professor Whatchamacallit’s InterstitialsThese hilarious radio theater comedy moments, complete with sound effects and music, were originally intended as introductions and closings to the BearManor Radio Network programming. But now you can enjoy them anytime. This program is written, produced, and directed by veteran award-winning radio-theater wizard Joe Bevilacqua and voiced by Fred Frees, in honor of the character Ludwig Von Drake originally voice by his dad, Paul Frees, and Sid Caesar, who’s Professor character inspired both.

From award-winning NPR producer Joe Bevilacqua comes a rare and exciting collection of radio documentaries, features, and dramas.

One Song at a TimeThis radio performance includes many stories about the Kerrville Folk Festival, the longest continuously running music festival in North America.

Lady Bird JohnsonOne of the most licensed audiobooks on the Public Radio Exchange and iTunes, Lady Bird Johnson is an award-winning audio documentary examining the challenges and achievements of this extraordinary woman.

From Moonshine to ArmadillosVeteran NPR producer Joe Bevilacqua hosts this hour long program outlining the history of Threadgill’s and Armadillo World Headquarters, which contributed to the birth of the Austin music scene.

Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans, with Wynton MarsalisRecorded in the French Quarter of New Orleans, this radio program features jazz great Wynton Marsalis, and others, who talk on the origins of jazz, and the life and music of legendary trumpeter, Louis Armstrong.

Healthy Living in the CatskillsIn this radio documentary, a husband and wife explore the rural byways within four miles of their home in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, and find local business owners working to promote healthy lifestyles that have a national impact.

Radio Tales for the Road, Volume OneCombining storytelling, documentary, radio drama, and original music, Radio Tales for the Road are vivid recollections of the 1960s.

All Things Joe BevThis radio production is a collection of sixteen short audio features created for public radio by award-winning producer Joe Bevilacqua, also known as Joe Bev.

We Take You Now to Grover’s MillThis 1988 documentary looks at how the landmark broadcast came about and examines its impact on broadcast history. The program includes rare interviews with Mercury Theater producer John Houseman and writer Howard Koch, actor Arthur Anderson and the people of Grover’s Mill, New Jersey who lived through the “Martian invasion.”

"A Rockabilly Christmas" - Joe Bevilacqua profiles underground rockabilly guitarist Ray Campi, telling his own story. Campi is unknown today but was one of the pioneers of rock'n'roll, predating Carl Perkins and Elvis.

"The Christmas I Saved Macy's" - a true story written and read by Joe Bevilacqua - with original music composed by Joe Bevilacqua and performed by Paul Salomone on piano, Edward Fuqua on bass and Jim Mason on drums.

"The Gift of the Magi" - O. Henry's classic Christmas short story is charmingly told by Lorie Kellogg and Joe Bevilacqua. William Sydney Porter, known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American writer, whose short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization, and clever twist endings.

Lorie Kellogg's profile of the BearManor Media book: "Standing in the Spirit at Your Elbow: A History of Dicken's Christmas Carol as Radio/Audio Drama" by Craig Wichman.

From award-winning NPR producer Joe Bevilacqua comes a rare and exciting collection of radio documentaries, features, and dramas.

One Song at a TimeThis radio performance includes many stories about the Kerrville Folk Festival, the longest continuously running music festival in North America.

Lady Bird JohnsonOne of the most licensed audiobooks on the Public Radio Exchange and iTunes, Lady Bird Johnson is an award-winning audio documentary examining the challenges and achievements of this extraordinary woman.

From Moonshine to ArmadillosVeteran NPR producer Joe Bevilacqua hosts this hour long program outlining the history of Threadgill’s and Armadillo World Headquarters, which contributed to the birth of the Austin music scene.

Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans, with Wynton MarsalisRecorded in the French Quarter of New Orleans, this radio program features jazz great Wynton Marsalis, and others, who talk on the origins of jazz, and the life and music of legendary trumpeter, Louis Armstrong.

Healthy Living in the CatskillsIn this radio documentary, a husband and wife explore the rural byways within four miles of their home in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, and find local business owners working to promote healthy lifestyles that have a national impact.

Radio Tales for the Road, Volume OneCombining storytelling, documentary, radio drama, and original music, Radio Tales for the Road are vivid recollections of the 1960s.

All Things Joe BevThis radio production is a collection of sixteen short audio features created for public radio by award-winning producer Joe Bevilacqua, also known as Joe Bev.

We Take You Now to Grover’s MillThis 1988 documentary looks at how the landmark broadcast came about and examines its impact on broadcast history. The program includes rare interviews with Mercury Theater producer John Houseman and writer Howard Koch, actor Arthur Anderson and the people of Grover’s Mill, New Jersey who lived through the “Martian invasion.”

This collection of stories features holiday tales for both young and old!

The Christmas That Almost Never WasIt is Christmas Eve at the North Pole, and Santa Claus has lost his “remembery.” Now only a child who has been good for a full year can save Christmas! Producer Joe Bevilacqua has unearthed this vintage 1940s recording of the charming Yuletide children’s radio play, written by and starring Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, and most of the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters. Also heard in this old time radio show is Don Messick, the voice of Boo Boo Bear, Ranger Smith, and Scooby Doo.

Daws Butler’s Halloween HappeningA new production of the classic radio play by the voice of Yogi Bear, Daws Butler!

Pedro’s Christmas Fables for KidsVisit Santa at the North Pole, witness the birth of Jesus, go inside Noah’s Ark, and more with these timeless short stories that will charm and entertain your whole family! Produced with wonderful sound effects and music by veteran radio theater producer Joe Bevilacqua and performed by him and his wife, Lorie Kellogg, these Christmas stories include “The Best Choice,” “A Forced Christmas,” “Bula the Traveler,” “Christmas Presents,” “The Please-O-Meter,” and “The Little Christmas Star.” Other stories include “The Tidy Toys,” “The Match and the Toy Men,” “Problems on the Ark,” “A Colorful Head,” “A Drop of Water,” and “Balloon Acrobatics.”

Pedro’s Halloween Fables for KidsGoblins, fairies, witches, and ghosts! These short Halloween themed stories by noted Spanish children’s author Pedro Pablo Sacristan will charm and entertain your whole family! Produced with wonderful sound effects and music by veteran radio theater producer Joe Bevilacqua, and performed by husband and wife team Joe Bevilacqua and Lorie Kellogg, the stories include “The Creature in the Attic,” “A Different Take on Halloween,” “Waking Nightmare,” “The Evil Goblins,” “The Brave Boy and the Multicolored Ghost,” “The Monster in the Wardrobe,”“Forever a Monster,” “Bewitched Tongues,” The Funny-Looking Fairy,” and “The Evil Millisphore.”

First is “The Joe Bev Valentine Treat.” This is a charming hour of stories (real and fictional) about love hosted by veteran public radio producer Joe Bevilacqua.

The hour includes “Who’s Afraid of a Virginian’s Wrath,” “A Valentine from Graham Nash’s Mac,” “Ode to a Transfer Station or Love Poem for the Dump,” “A Mathematical Valentine,” “The Love of Lee the Horselogger,” “Marian the Librarian Finds Love at the Bookmobile,” and “Valentine Vignette.” Second is “The Comedy-O-Rama Hour Valentine Special: Cupid Comes to Camp Waterlogg,” a comic one-hour radio play by Joe Bevilacqua, performed by Joe Bevilacqua and Lorie Kellogg, plus Cousin Kenny Savoy, Jim Folly, Tom Giannazzo, and Reagan Bonjorno Leonard. Recorded in the woods of Napanoch, New York, and at Carolyn’s on Broadway in New York City.

The Gift of the MagiO. Henry’s classic Christmas short story is charmingly told by Lorie Kellogg and Joe Bevilacqua. William Sydney Porter, known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American writer, whose short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization, and clever twists.

Doug McEwan explains how he met Groucho's son: I was hosting a Sunday Morning radio show on KGIL titled The Doug McEwan Comedy Hour, where I played only comedy albums. Arthur had just put out a memoir titled Son Of Groucho, and the book's publicist contacted me and asked if I wanted to interview him, since my audience, though small, were exactly the sort of folks who would want to read Arthur's book. I jumped at it. It was arranged by the publicist for me to come to Arthur's home the day after his dad's show at the Music Center (Which I had promoted relentlessly, playing excerpts from the album release of his Carnegie Hall show). I actually met Arthur the first time the night before, during intermission at Groucho's show. I spotted him in the lobby and went over and introduced myself. (He was, after all, talking to George Burns at the time. Why pass up a chance also to meet George Burns?) Bill Smith, who was then the station's publicist, accompanied me to Arthur's and took photos, and asked the occasional question himself. Bill's as big a comedy geek as I am. He also went along when I interviewed Bud Abbott. I didn't need a publicist along, but Bill wanted to meet them as much as I did.'

Son of Harpo Speaks!A Family PortraitBy Bill Marx

Narrated by Bill Marx

Length: 8 hours&46 min.

Over 9 Hours Of Entertainment! "For many years, friends and family have asked me, 'Bill, why don't you write a book about your life? You must have had quite a childhood growing up with your dad, Harpo, and those zany uncles of yours, the Marx Brothers. And what about those weird, maybe fatalistic happenings you've experienced that can only be described as 'too-Hollywood-to-believe?'" —Bill Marx

FINAL CUTS: THE LAST FILMS OF 50 GREAT DIRECTORS by Nat SegaloffCritic-producer Nat Segaloff was granted access to private papers, production records, never-before-published interviews, and specialized archives in reconstructing the colorful, touching, and sometimes scandalous stories behind the making of the last films of some of Hollywood’s top directors. Winningly readable and yet meticulously researched, its substantial entries range from Robert Aldrich and Robert Altman to Peter Yates and Fred Zinnemann, and John Ford and Howard Hawks to Otto Preminger and Richard Brooks. Certain to attract controversy because of whom it ignores as well as whom it includes, Final Cuts presents fifty widely varied chronicles of success and failure, inspiration and ennui, elation and heartache, and every other emotion enjoyed or endured by the greatest filmmakers that Hollywood ever knew.

THE LAUGH MAKERS: A BEHIND-THE-SCENES TRIBUTE TO BOB HOPE'S INCREDIBLE GAG WRITERS by Robert L. Mills, J.D."In The Laugh Makers, Bob Mills takes us on a delightful, side-splitting journey back to the slapstick sketch comedy of television's Golden Age - a long-ago era of variety, song-and-dance, brilliant patter and a seemingly endless parade of laughs - sprung from the genius of 'gag men,' that talented group of wit-blessed wordsmiths to whom the book pays well-deserved homage.

The Laugh Makers what is a priceless collection of heretofore unpublished recollections revealing untold secrets and goings-on behind the scenes on the Bob Hope Show from Stockholm to Bora Bora; London to Peking. It's jam-packed with stories, anecdotes and 82 un-retouched photos of Hope, His guest stars and his writers -- all from a fondly remembered past that will have you chuckling from start to finish."

"Over 11 hours of entertainment!" says Laugh-In's Gary Owens. "In The Laugh Makers, Bob Mills takes us on a delightful, side-splitting journey back to the slapstick sketch comedy of television's Golden Age - a long-ago era of variety, song-and-dance, brilliant patter, and a seemingly endless parade of laughs - sprung from the genius of 'gag men,' that talented group of wit-blessed word-smiths to whom the book pays well-deserved homage."